Young Women's Christian Ass'n of Asheville v. Morgan

189 S.E.2d 169, 281 N.C. 485, 1972 N.C. LEXIS 1088

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: June 16, 1972
• Docket: 125
• Status: Published

Opinion

BRANCH, Justice.

Defendant, Attorney General, contends that the trial judge erred in holding that the assets received from the estate of Anna Johnson Moorhead are held by plaintiff in fee simple, discharged of any trust. He argues that the assets are held in trust and that any relief granted should be by application of the cy pres doctrine.

This Court has consistently rejected application of the cy pres doctrine, as such. However, it has long recognized that the courts may exercise their equitable power, in proper cases, to modify a charitable trust so as to prevent its failure and so as to effectuate the primary purpose of the trustor. Trust Co. v. Construction Co., 275 N.C. 399, 168 S.E. 2d 358; Brooks v. Duckworth, 234 N.C. 549, 67 S.E. 2d 752; Woodcock v. Trust Co., 214 N.C. 224, 199 S.E. 20.

The cy pres doctrine derives its meaning from the Anglo-French phrase cy pres comme possible, meaning “near as possible.” Thus, when a particular purpose set forth in a charitable trust becomes impossible, illegal or impracticable, the courts exercise their equitable powers to select a purpose as near as possible to that originally selected by the testator or trustor. Bogert, Law of Trusts and Trustees (2d ed, 1965) § 431; IV Scott, Law of Trusts (3d ed. 1967) § 399.

The 1967 General Assembly enacted the Charitable Trust Administration Act, which expressly gave the courts the power to apply the cy pres doctrine to charitable trusts. When there is a charitable trust, bequest, or devise evidencing a general charitable intent by the grantor, and the specific, express purpose cannot be fulfilled because of illegality, impossibility or impracticability, this act specifically empowers the court, in the absence of alternate disposition, to modify the trust so as to apply the fund to a purpose as nearly as possible like the originally expressed purpose. G.S. 36-23.2. Note: “Trusts— Cy Pres Enacted in North Carolina,” 46 NCLR 1020. The doctrine of cy pres applies only to charitable trusts. Bogert, Law of Trusts and Trustees (2d ed. 1965) § 431.

Generally, when a trust is created for any lawful purpose which promotes the well-being of mankind and does not contravene public policy, it is charitable in its purpose. Woodcock v. Trust Co., supra. A charitable trust has also been defined as “ ... & fiduciary relationship with respect to property, arising as a result of a manifestation of an intent to create it, and subjecting the person by whom the property is held to equitable duties to deal with the property for a charitable purpose.” Restatement (Second) of Trusts, § 348.

The parties stipulated that plaintiff was a charitable corporation at the time it received the fund, and that one of its corporate purposes was to establish and maintain a boarding house for young women. This corporate purpose was manifestly charitable. Thus, we need to decide only whether the will of Anna Johnson Moorhead created a trust.

A trust is based upon a direct declaration or expression of intent (Bowen v. Darden, 241 N.C. 11, 84 S.E. 2d 289), yet no particular words are necessary to create a trust if the purpose to create is evident. Morris v. Morris, 246 N.C. 314, 98 S.E. 2d 298; Stephens v. Clark, 211 N.C. 84, 189 S.E. 191. Therefore, we must ascertain the intent of the testatrix, for her intent must be given effect unless contrary to public policy or some rule of law. The intent of the testatrix is in reality her will. Such intent is to be determined by examining the provisions of the will in light of all surrounding facts and circumstances known to the testatrix. Bank v. Home for Children, 280 N.C. 354, 185 S.E. 2d 836; Campbell v. Jordan, 274 N.C. 233, 162 S.E. 2d 545; McCain v. Womble, 265 N.C. 640, 144 S.E. 2d 857; In re Will of Wilson, 260 N.C. 482, 133 S.E. 2d 189.

If the whole instrument discloses an intent by the testatrix to convey the legal title to the property or fund to plaintiff, Young Women’s Christian Association of Asheville, North Carolina, to hold the property and deal with it for the benefit of another, the property will be affixed with a charitable trust, and, correspondingly, equitable duties will be placed on plaintiff as holder of the legal title. King v. Richardson, 46 F. Supp. 510, (M.D.N.C.); Thomas v. Clay, 187 N.C. 778, 122 S.E. 852; Laws v. Christmas, 178 N.C. 359, 100 S.E. 587. If such intent be not disclosed, plaintiff will be declared absolute owner of the fund, free of any trust.

G.S. 31-38 provides:

“Sec. 31-38. Devise presumed to be in fee. — When real estate shall be devised to any person, the same shall be held and construed to be a devise in fee simple, unless such devise shall, in plain and express words, show, or it shall be plainly intended by the will, or some part thereof, that the testator intended to convey an estate of less dignity.”

The provisions of this statute have been held to apply to the disposition by will of both real and personal property. Worsley v. Worsley, 260 N.C. 259, 132 S.E. 2d 579; Heefner v. Thornton, 216 N.C. 702, 6 S.E. 2d 506; Barco v. Owens, 212 N.C. 30, 192 S.E. 862.

In Brinn v. Brinn, 213 N.C. 282, 195 S.E. 793, this Court, speaking through Barnhill, J. (later C. J.) stated:

“A consideration of the decisions in this jurisdiction discloses that it is now a well-established rule in this State that where an estate is given to a person generally or indefinitely it is construed to be a devise in fee simple, unless such devise shall, in plain and express words, show or it shall be plainly indicated by the will, or some part thereof, that the testator intended to convey an estate of less dignity. It is so provided by our statute. — C.S., 4162 [now G.S. 31-38]. Springs v. Springs, 182 N.C. 484; Hayes v. Franklin, 141 N.C. 599; Carter v. Strickland, 165 N.C. 69; Hardy v. Hardy, supra [174 N.C. 505]; Barco v. Owens, 212 N.C. 30; Peyton v. Smith, ante, 155. Carter v. Strickland, supra, is reported and annotated in Ann. Cases, 1915D, at p. 416.”

It is seldom that we find aid in prior decisions when we seek to determine the intent of a testator. Although the North Carolina authority on the question here presented deals with real property,, these cases offer guidance in reaching our decision as to the intent of the testatrix in bequeathing her personal property.

This Court considered a conveyance of real estate by deed to a religious corporation in St. James v. Bagley, 138 N.C. 384, 50 S.E. 841. There Dr. A. J. DeRosset and wife executed a deed to the Vestry and Wardens of St. James Church, which deed contained the following recital:

“ . . . that the said parties of the first part, for the purpose of aiding in the establishment of a Home for Indigent Widows or Orphans or in the promotion of any other charitable or religious objects to which the property hereinafter conveyed may be appropriated by the said parties of the second part, and in further consideration of $1 to them in hand paid by the parties of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, and sold, and do by these presents grant, bargain, and sell to the said parties of the second part, . . . . ”

The Court, in holding that no trust was created, stated:

“ . . . ‘The effect of a deed must depend upon the effect of the language used. A grantor can impose conditions and can make the title conveyed dependent’ upon their performance. But if he does not make any condition, but simply expresses the motive which induces him to execute the deed, the legal effect of the granting words cannot be controlled by the language indicating the grant- or’s motive.’. . .. ”

* * * #

“ ... By all of the canons of construction and the rules laid down by the courts for ascertaining the intention of the donor, we are brought to the conclusion that no trust is created by the language in this deed. In saying that no trust is created, we, of course, mean no other trust than is imposed upon all property held by the trustee or official body representing a religious society pursuant to the provisions of section 3665 of the Code, [now G.S. 61-3] The plaintiff held the property for the use of the congregation, consisting of the members of the church organized as St. James Parish, with the right and power to appropriate it to such uses and purposes as the said congregation, acting through its organized agencies, may direct .... While the language used by the donor is not, strictly speaking, precatory, but rather expressive of motive, the same interpretation should be given it. . . . (Emphasis ours.)

“ . . . We simply decide that there is no declaration of trust in the deed made by Dr. DeRosset to the plaintiff, that the language sought to be construed into a trust is expressive only of his motive and purpose in conveying the property to the plaintiff, and, in our opinion, expressly excludes the idea of attaching a trust thereto.”

A will was construed in order to determine title to real estate in the case of Williams v. Thompson, 216 N.C. 292, 4 S.E. 2d 609. The pertinent clause of the will provided:

“Item I: I leave to by niece Clarentine P. Clift lot No. 108, in the Town of Plymouth during her natural life, and after her death, I give and bequeath the said lot with all improvements and hereditaments to the Methodist Episcopal Church in this place, to be used by the stewards or legal representatives of the said church in the Town of Plymouth, as a parsonage for the minister and for no other purpose, in order to secure the possession of my burying ground to the aforesaid Church and to its keeping and care.” (Emphasis ours.)

In holding that the will devised a fee in the land, this Court said:

“The language contained in the will, indicating that the property was to be used as a parsonage for the minis ter of the church in order to secure the possession of the burying ground to the church and to its keeping and care, cannot be held to have the effect of impressing a trust upon the legal title (St. James v. Bagley, 138 N.C. 384, 50 S.E. 841) .... the will expresses the wish of the testatrix as to future use of the land, but it cannot be given the legal effect of creating a trust such as to require the aid of a court of equity to enforce its administration.”

See also: Hall v. Quinn, 190 N.C. 326, 130 S.E. 18; Hass v. Hass, 195 N.C. 734, 143 S.E. 541; Tucker v. Smith, 199 N.C. 502, 154 S.E. 826; Church v. Refining Co., 200 N.C. 469, 157 S.E. 438.

We note cases from other jurisdictions which consider the question of whether devises and bequests to charitable corporations created trusts or vested unencumbered fees.

The Supreme Court of Kansas in Bradley v. Hill, 141 Kan. 602, 42 P. 2d 580, considered a devise in which testator gave to the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows real and personal property to be held “for the use only in maintaining the Old Folks Home for Odd Fellows . . . . ” The Court reasoned that designation of purpose for which the legacy was to be used did not necessarily indicate an intention to create a trust and that where a gift is made to a charitable corporation charging it to use the gift for a purpose for which the corporation was formed, the gift should be construed to be absolute. The Court, upon this reasoning, held that no trust was created.

The same court in Zabel v. Stewart, 153 Kan. 272, 109 P. 2d 177, considered the provisions of a bequest to a religious corporation “for the purpose of building a church building . . . and for the purpose of furnishing said church,” and held that this gift to a charitable organization was to aid in carrying out the purposes for which it was founded and did not create a trust in any legal sense.

In the case of Sands v. Church of Ascension, Etc., 181 Md. 536, 30 A. 2d 771, two members of the Vestry gave to the Vestry $20,000 in bonds which were accompanied by a letter stating, in part: “These bonds are to be deposited in a box in the Mercantile Trust & Deposit Company in the name of the Vestry. ... It is our wish that the income from these bonds be used only for the payment of the Ground Rent as it becomes due and said income is not to be used for any other purpose whatsoever. ...” The Church of Ascension united with another church and suit was brought to determine the ownership of the bonds. The court held that the united churches held the bonds absolutely and that no trust had been created. In so holding, the court stated: “ . . . [T] hat a person cannot be both the trustee and the cestui que trust. It is obvious that in order to create a trust the legal estate must be separated from the beneficial enjoyment and therefore a trust cannot exist where the same person possesses both. . . . Where property is given to a corporation for such uses as are within the scope of its corporate powers, the conveyance does not create a trust.” Accord: Baltzell v. Church Home and Infirmary, 110 Md. 244, 73 A. 151; Board of Trustees of Ruston Circuit, Etc. v. Rudy, 192 La. 200, 187 So. 549; Prettyman v. Baker, 91 Md. 539, 46 A. 1020; Rohlff v. German Old People’s Home, 143 Neb. 636, 10 N.W. 2d 686; First National Bank v. Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church of Galveston, 219 S.W. 2d 828 (Tex. Civ. App. 1949).

In Bogert, Law of Trusts and Trustees (2d ed. 1965) § 46, it is stated:

“The mere statement of the purpose for which a gift is made does not per se show an intent to make the donee a trustee to accomplish that purpose. The donee may be expected to accomplish the named object through his own voluntary action as absolute owner.”

It should be noted, however, that property conveyed to a trustee for a charitable purpose is limited to the uses set forth in the terms of the trust, and that property conveyed to a charitable corporation, free of a trust, is limited to the purposes set forth in its corporate charter. St. James v. Bagley, supra; Bogert, Law of Trusts and Trustees (2d ed., 1965) § 324. The State, through its Attorney General, may institute proceedings for the enforcement of charitable trusts or gifts. Sternberger v. Tannenbaum, 273 N.C. 658, 161 S.E. 2d 116; G.S. 36-20; G.S. 55A-50.

In support of his contention that a trust was created and that the doctrine of cy pres should be applied, the Attorney General cites Stephens v. Clark, et al, supra; Young v. Young, 68 N.C. 309 (1873); Crudup v. Holding, 118 N.C. 222, 24 S.E. 7 (1896); Jarrell v. Dyer, 170 N.C. 177, 86 S.E. 1031 (1915); Morris v. Morris, supra. None of these cases refer to charitable trusts. Although they stand for the proposition that a trust may be created without the use of any particular words, the cases are readily distinguishable from instant case in that each of the cases cited by the Attorney General a person is named to hold the legal title for the equitable use or benefit of another, thereby evidencing a clear intent to create a trust.

Decision of the question here presented requires that we now consider the language of the will in connection with circumstances known to Anna Johnson Moorhead at the time she executed that instrument. Plaintiff held Moorhead House in fee simple at the time the bequest was made. At that time Moorhead House was being used for the principal purpose set forth in plaintiff’s charter. The will was drawn by a skilled lawyer. The words of the conveyance, to wit, “I give, devise and bequeath” are unequivocal and in no manner limit the conveyance or passage of the fund. The bequest was made to the Young Women’s Christian Association of Asheville, North Carolina, and not to another to hold or to be dealt with for the benefit of the Young Women’s Christian Association. The will contained no provision for reverter or payment over in event the fund was not used for maintenance of the Moorhead House. Nor is there any limitation as to the expenditure of the principal of the fund. The expression relied upon by defendant to limit the operative words “will, devise and bequeath” relates only to the management of the property rather than to the estate or interest bequeathed. The expression as to use is merely a statement of motive in making the bequest. There is no division of equitable and legal estates. The testatrix unequivocally gave the fund to the charitable corporation, to be used for its charitable purposes. We find nothing in the language of the bequest or any circumstances known to the testatrix which limits the operative words of the bequest.

The trial court correctly adjudged and declared plaintiff to be the owner in fee simple, free of any trusts, of the property and fund set forth in the complaint.

The judgment of the Superior Court is

Affirmed.